Hotel chain sends its high flyers back to the classroom

Thistle and Guoman Hotels has linked with Henley Management College to offer the first senior-management development program in its sector from Henley.

The program will last two years and target senior managers in the business. It will provide key skills in areas such as leadership, finance, business acumen and marketing strategy.

HR director Rachelle Prior said: “We wanted to create something unique and tailored to our specific business needs. Our leaders need wide-ranging skills to cope with the pressures of running a hotel business, and we need to equip them with the expertise required. This program will provide recognition and first-class development for our high-performing managers, resulting in more strategic, innovative leaders, who can add value through performance both in the short and long term.”

The development program will begin a business-leadership module, focussing on the future challenges and strategy at Thistle Hotels. Some 13 Thistle and Guoman employees will take the course.